On March 26, the Massachusetts Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) launched a COVID-19 response website. The page contains information on affordable housing resources and updates with DHCD guidance and information related to its programs in response to COVID-19. To access the site, click here: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-dhcd-website.
#COVID-19
Housing News
March 26, 2020
On March 26, Governor Baker announced that a former Boston Medical Center hospital building will be temporarily reopened and used to meet COVID-19 related medical needs of area residents who are experiencing homelessness.
March 23, 2020
On March 23, Governor Baker issued an Governor Charlie Baker issued an emergency order requiring all businesses and organizations that do not provide “COVID-19 Essential Services” to close their physical workplaces and facilities to workers, customers, and the public as of Tuesday, March 24th at noon until Tuesday, April 7th at noon. Click here for the Governor's announcement.
March 20, 2020
On March 20, the Emergency Task Force on Coronavirus & Equity organized by the Massachusetts Public Health Association released urgent actions for Governor Baker, Attorney General Healey, and the Legislature to take on four state policy priorities to address the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus outbreak on communities already experiencing marginalization, including low-wage workers, immigrants, and people experiencing homelessness or housing insecurity.
March 19, 2020
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) released a paper outlining its policy recommendations for combating the COVID-19 emergency. CBPP’s proposal includes over $2 billion for housing including:
March 18, 2020
Update 3/19/2020 - DHCD's requirement to hold a public hearing to hear comments about the 2021 Moving to Work Annual Plan has not been waived, so the department will hold one hearing using Gotomeeting, which is ADA compliant, according to the ADA National Network on March 23, 2020, 11:00 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
The public hearing in Springfield, originally scheduled for March 25, has been CANCELLED.
March 18, 2020
On March 18, the City of Cambridge instituted a Temporary Emergency Construction Moratorium on all construction activity on both public and private property until further notice. This is being done to mitigate the impact of COVID-19 and safeguard the health of construction workers and all other workers associated with the construction industry as well as members of the public.
March 18, 2020
On March 18, 2020, President Trump announced at a press conference that he has directed the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to suspend evictions and foreclosures through April. This move will provide many Americans with housing stability as many workers deal with the economic effects of COVID-19.
March 17, 2020
In response to the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, DHCD extended the deadline for communities to submit Housing Choice designation application to April 13, 2020 at 3:00 p.m.
March 17, 2020
If you are a current 40B homeowner or are in the process of applying for a 40B resale please contact Program Manager, David Gasser for instructions on how to submit your applications and/or resale and refinance requests.
David can be reached at dgasser@chapa.org or 617-701-7498.
Thank you for your understating and cooperation at this time.